Device for operating artificial hands or the like



S. O. BERG Aug; 10, 1954 DEVICE FOR OPERATING ARTIFICIAL HANDS OR THE LIKE Filed Au 21. 1952 IN V EN T OR. 67am? 0. fiery BY Y ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 10, 1954 DEVICE FOR OPERATING ARTIFICIAL 7 HANDS OR THE LIKE #Stanley 0. Berg, Passaic, N. J.

Application August 21, 1952, Serial No. 305,541

. 3 Claims.

My invention relates generally to devices for operating artificial hands and specifically to devices of this kind that are not irritating to the vestigial member.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a device that will provide a strong operating force.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device that does not irritate the stump and is comfortable.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device which is light in weight, comfortable to the wearer, self-contained, and without any exposed operational parts.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a device that may be operated slowly or rapidly, that is relatively inexpensive. easy to apply and use, and is durable.

These objects and advantages may be achieved by the device illustrated in the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view;

Figure 2 is a side view of the lever;

Figure 3 is a top view of the lever;

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of the bearing;

Figure 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5-5 in Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of the rear of the wedge.

My invention is dependent for its operation upon anatomical structure, which will be described in a manner believed to be accurate, but which is, in a measure theoretical. Should the theory be inaccurate in any respect, it is not to be considered as affecting the validity of any patent that may issue hereon, since the anatomical theory does not limit or effect the disclosure of the structure of my device.

The upper arm has a single bone, the humerus. The lower arm has two bones, the ulna and the radius. They meet at the elbow which is the multiple joint. The lower end of the humerus and the head of the radius form a joint. The lower end of the humerus and the upper end of the ulna form a joint. Another joint is formed by the contact between head of the radius and the side or end of the ulna.

The upper end of the ulna has a jaw-like formation, the one lip of which is called Olecranon process, and the opposite lip of which is called the Coronoid process. These processes have a concave area between them called the greater sigmoid cavity which engages a corresponding convex area in the humerus known as the trochlea.

The ulna has a hollow on the outside which is the lesser sigmoid cavity. The head of the radius rotates in this cavity producing rotation of the wrist. This movement is either pronation (palm down) a supination (palm up). Where an amputation has been effected between the elbow and the wrist, the radius may still move as in pronation or supination, but such movement is useless.

The present invention converts the useless movement of the radius into a useful motion. Instead of turning the wrist, the motion is converted into a pull through the action of the radius on a lever. The forearm is immobilized by a Wedge. The vestigial ulna, which does not turn is stabilized, but the vestigial radius may still pivot on the lesser sigmoid cavity. Thus the radius describes a sort of rotational movement about the stabilized ulna. In so doing, it may depress a lever which can convert the rotational movement into a pulling movement. The pull exerted on a cord can open and close an artificial hand or hooks, thereby converting a useless movement into a useful movement.

This type of artificial forearm is not irritating. It utilizes a strong muscular action that may be strengthened by a lever. In some prosthetic appliances where an ivory pin is inserted through skin, to be pulled by a muscle, extreme irritation and infection sometimes result. In my forearm, there is no risk of infection or irritation, as there are no ivory pegs. The muscular action utilized is much stronger than that exerted on ivory pegs. The pronator teres muscle is responsible for the rotation of the radius. The orbicular ligament retains the head of the radius to the ulna. The vestigial radius and ulna are still kept together by the interosseous ligament or membrane as well as the muscles that act upon them. This is the anatomical structure that operates my device.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, my device for operating an artificial hand, hooks or the like has a tubular, tapered shell ll adapted to receive the vestigial forearm l2. Hinges [3 are secured to the shell I I on either side. These hinges have a leather strap 14 attached to them which surrounds the upper-arm I5. Laces I 6 are provided so that it can be securely laced to the upper arm l5. A reinforcing band I! may also be secured to the hinge [3.

Near the smaller end [8 of the shell I I, a pair of bearings l9 are diametrically secured to opposite sides of the shell. A shaft 20 is pivotally mounted on the bearings. A lever 21 formed integrally with the shaft 20 extends toward the wider end of the shell H. The end of this lever 2| is provided with a loop 22 that serves as a platform for the stump 12 to apply pressure to and actuate the lever. Extending in the opposite direction and formed integrally with the shaft 20, a retractor or draw bar 23 is provided. This draw bar 23 has an eyelet 24 to which a wire operating an artificial hand or hooks may be attached. A wedge 25 is secured to the shell H on the inside thereof adjacent to the loop 22. The wedge 25 is positioned so as to engage the stump l2 and prevent it from moving in the shell H. Thus the ulna 26 is stabilized, but the radius 21, which rests on the loop 22 (as shown in Figure may rotate and depress the loop 22. This causes the retractor 23 to pull the wire 28. The radius 21 can exert considerable force without irritating the stump l2 and can cause the wire 28 to be pulled slowly or rapidly, gently or strongly, as may be desirable. The hand or hooks is thereby operated. The loop 22 having been depressed, is held in that position by the radius 21 until the radius is restored to normal position. The usual artificial hand or hooks is provided with a spring which tends to restore the hand or hooks to normal position. This spring, in restoring the hand or hooks to normal position (fingers open, or hooks apart) will exert a pull on the wire 28 which will cause the loop 22 to return to normal position ready to be depressed again.

The foregoing description is merely intended to illustrate an embodiment of the invention. The component parts have been shown and described. They each may have substitutes which may perform a substantially similar function; such substitutes may be known as proper substitutes for the said components and may have actually been known or invented before the present invention; these substitutes are contemplated as being within the scope of the appended claims,

although they are not specifically catalogued herein.

I claim:

1. A device for operating artificial hands. or the like, comprising a tapered tubular member adapted to receive a forearm-stump, a wedge attached to the interior wall of the tubular memher and adapted to engage the stump against turning in the tubular member, opposed bearings mounted in the interior of the tubular memher, a lever pivotally mounted on the bearings, extending in the direction of the forearm-stump, and a draw-bar connected to the lever and extending in the opposite direction.

2. A device for operating artificial hands or the like comprising, a tapered tubular member adapted to receive a forearm-stump, a wedge attached to the interior wall of the tubular member and adapted to engage the stump against turning in the tubular member, opposed bearings mounted in the interior of the tubular member, a lever pivotally mounted on the bearings, a loop mounted on the end of the lever, and a draw-bar connected to the lever extending in the opposite direction.

3. A device for operating artificial hands or the like comprising a lever adapted to be engaged by a forearm stump, a shaft attached to the lever, a draw-bar attached to the shaft, mountings for pivotally holding the shaft, and a tapered tubular member having the mountings secured in its interior.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,382,404 Eberle Aug. 14, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 292,785 Germany May 9, 1917 313,544 Germany July 26, 1919 

